Ice tray



Jung 30, 1942.

c. R. CARNEY IcI'J TRAY Filed Nov, 9, 1940 INVENTOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 30, 1942. c. R cARNEY ICE TRAY Filed Nov. 9, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet ,2,

BY M W 7%? ATTORNEY-51 Patented June 30, 1942 UNITED STATES- .4 PATENT OFFICE" This invention relates to ice trays and more particularly to an ice tray grid having a pine.

rality of interconnected relatively movable epae rator members which maybe moved angularly relative to each other to produce a shearing force between ice blocks and the grid and pan to release ice therefrom.

An object of this invention is to provide an ice tray grid having a plurality of relatively movable grid members interconnected in such a manner that the members may be moved relative to'each.

other to efiect the release of ice.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of manually operable means to simultaneously move longitudinal and transverse separator members to release ice blocks from the grid and pan members.

A further object resides in the provision of novel motion transmitting means whereby with a minimum effort applied, a.- plurality of grid members may be moved relative to each other to release ice.

Yet a, still further object of the invention is to provide a grid structure having a vertically disposed longitu-dinalLv extendingseparator member hingedly mounted on a plurality of substantially vertically disposed transverse separator members wherein improved motion transmitting means may be employed to move the longitudinal separator member toward an angular position and to move the transverse separator members angularly about. a vertical axis intermediate the ends of the transverse members to release ice.

Another object is to provide an ice tray grid havin a pair of longitudinally movable bars associated with a longitudinal separator member in such a manner that movement of the bars in opposite directions actuates longitudinal. and transverse grid members to release ice blocks from the grid and tray members.

A further object of. the invention resides in the provision of novel motion transmitting means on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. l

Other objectsand advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the ac-. companying drawings, submitted for purposes of illustration only, and not intended to'define the scope of. the invention, reference being bad for that'purpose to the subjoined claims.

In the drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views:

1 is a perspective view of an ice tray grid embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view Fig. 3 is a. perspectiv view showing the various grid members in separated relationship.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

- Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the grid and pan structure shown in the normal or ice forming position. f

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the grid structure in the actuated or ice releasing position.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 4 taken substan tially on the line 1--'i of Fig. 6.

Fig.'8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 88' of Fig. 6.

- Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line Ill-l0 of Fig. 9. V

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional'vicw of grid and pan members illustrating a still further modified form of the invention.

Fig; 12 is a sectional view taken substantially on the linelZ-IZ of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view taken substantially on the line I 3-! 3 of Fig. 11.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited=in itsapplication to the details of comprising a plurality of oppositely disposed cam members carried by relatively movable members in such a. manner that actuation of a manually operable lever moves the members in Opposite d i-' 'rections.

Yet another object resides in the provision of an ice tray grid having a longitudinal separator member which may be moved from a substantirly vertical position towards an angular position to release ice by movement in opposite direction. -i a pai of longitudinally movable bars positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal separator member.

construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various Ways.

Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the prior art.

Referring now in particular to Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, it will be observed that an ice tray grid designated as a whole by the reference character 2 is adapted to be positioned in a pan 3 to taken substantially block compartments 4.

A longitudinal separator member'5 is mounted on a plurality of transversely extending" separator members 6 in such a manner that it may move angularly on the transverse members through a substantially predetermined arc. The transverse members have oppositely disposed horizontally-extending slots 1 and 8 formed adnal separator member 5 is preferably vertically slotted as illustrated at H to receive a portion of the transverse grid members and the longitudinal memberis provided with locking projections ll adapted to lie within the apertured portions 9 of the transverse members 8 to maintain; the

longitudinal and "transverse members in assembled relation.

The upper edge of the longitudinal separator 5 is formed with a plurality of contoured spaced camming portions I2 adapted to cooperatewith camming portions l3 and. carried by'long-itudinally movable bars l5 and I8 adapted to 25 lie within the horizontally extending slots I and 8 respectively of the transverse grid member 6. It will be observed that the cam portions 18 p of the bar l5 are shaped to lie within the con"- 1 toured portions I2 of the longitudinal separator 5 whereas the cam portions ll of the bar I.

are shaped to act as' stops to limit angular or. transverse movement of the separator member 5 relative to the transverse member 8. i

The longitudinally movable bars l5 and It may be provided with upwardly extending proiections l1 and I8 having oppositely disposed apertures l9 and 20 adapted to receive motion transmitting means 2| such for example as a key or ,flat piece of metal. The apertures l9 and and oppositely disposed whereby movement of the key 2| by any suitable means will move the bars l5 and IS in opposite directions. One suitable means for actuating the key 2| comprises a handle member 22 having a transversely extend-- ing slot 23 adapted to straddle the key member 2L and a longitudinally extending slot 24 adapted to straddle the members l1 and l8 carried. by the bars 15 and I6.

The bars l5 and ii are provided with-longitudinally' spaced slots 25 and 26- respectively adapted to lie within the slots 1 and respectively .of the transverse members 6 to move transversely spaced portions of the separator members 8 in opposite directions when the bars land I are moved in opposite directions by actuation of the handle 22. It will be observed that the transverse members 8 are maintained in a substan-:

tially vertical position by means of thevertically extending slots Ill formed in the longitudinal separator member 5 and that the. transverse members may be moved angularly about a sub,-

' stantlally vertical axis intermediate their ends.

In the operation of-this device the grid struc-; ture 2 is positioned in the pan 1 as illustrated in Fig. 5 and the space within the pan is filled with liquid or other substance which is to be frozen.

After the substance hasfrozen and it is desired to 70 transversely extending members 55 to enga e through the key 2| and oppositely disposed aper- 7o Referring now to Fig. 6, it will be observed- 5 that upon actuation of the handle 22 the bar l5 moves toward the left. The camming portions l3 engage the contoured portions I2 of the lonsitudinal member 5 to urge the longitudinal separator 5 from a substantially vertical position toward anangular position. Thelo'cking projecjacent their "upper edge and an apertured portion 8 adjacent theirv lower edge. The longituditions III of the longitudinal separator member 5 being'vconflned in the apertures 50f the transverse members i-restrain the longitudinal member 5 from bodily lateral movement in the-pan.

The cam portions ll of the bar 18 move away from thecontoured portions l2 of the longitudirial member lto permit the longitudinal member to move from a substantially vertical position toward an angular position as illustrated in Fig.

7. It will benoted that the metal forming the so tical axis intermediate the ends of the transverse members. This angular twisting of the transverse members 6 occurs simultaneously with the movement of the longitudinal member 5 from a substantially vertical position toward an angular'positionas illustrated in Figs. 6; '7 and 8.

Ready release of the ice blocks is thus effected.

In the embodiment of Figs. 9 and 10, it will be observed that enlarged key 30 is formed with a central section of reduced diameter adapted to '40 be engaged by the upwardly extending projec- 28 are preferably generally triangular inv shape relation. The handle 22 has a transverse slot.

28 adapted to straddle the key 38 and a longitudinal slot 2l between spaced members 32 to receive the projections l1 and I8 carried by the 1 oppositely movable bars l5 and I8. The handle .22 may thus be detachable from the grid mechanism or if desired it may be fixed to the key "30 in any suitable manner as by spot welding and be an integral part of the grid structure.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention'illustrated in Figs-11 to 13, it will be ob* served that a handle member!!! is designed in such a manner as to occupy minimum vertical space above the grid structure. The handle member 48 may be hired to a grid actuating key ll in any suitable manner as by'spot welding in dicated at 42. oppositely movable bars 43 and 50 44 associated with the ,longitudinal and transverse grid members may be' provided with upwardly extending projectors 45 and 48 respectively having upwardly opening apertures 41 formed therein for the reception of the key ll 05 carried by the handle 88 to move the bars 48 and H in opposite direction to actuate the separator members of the grid structure to release it.

The handle 48 may, if desired, be provided with downwardly projecting lugs 54 carriedby the oppositely movable bars 43 and 44 to maintain the grid structurein the inoperative or ice I forming position.

vertically disposed transve v tialLv vertical positely directed notched portions formed adjacent the upper edges of the transverse separator members, and manually operable means to move said bars in opposite directions.

6. An ice tray grid comprising a plurality of substantially vertically disposed. transversely extending separator members, alongitudinal sepamember wherebylongitudinal movement of the bars in opposite directions moves the longitudinal separator -member angularly from said normal substantially vertical position to release ice.

2. An ice" tray grid comprising a plurality of substantially vertically disposed transversely ex-,- tendinggrid members, a longitudinally extending grid member mounted on the transverse memv bers, means comprising a pair of oppositely movable bars associated with the longitudinal and transverse members whereby the longitudinal separator member may be moved from a sub-e yrator member having spaced camming portions mounted on the transverse members and movable thereon from a substantially vertical position to an angularly inclined position, a plurality of longitudinally extending 'bars positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal separator memher and engaging the transverse separator members, manually operable means to move the bars in opposite directions, and 'means comprising stantially vertical position toward an angular position and the transverse members may be 1-0; tated about substantially vertical axes intermediate their length to release ice, and op'-. erable means to move said bars in opposite directions.

' 3. An ice tray grid comprising a longitudinal separator member having a plurality of spaced cammmg portions formed adjacent its upper edge, a plurality of oppositely movable bars having portions engaging said camming portions adapted to lie on opposite sida oi the longituspaced cam members formed in the bars cooperating with the camming portions ofthe longitudinal separator member and spaced notched portions formed in the oppositely movable bars and engaging the transverse members whereby movement of the bars in opposite directions moves the transverse members angularly about substantially vertical axes intermediate their length and moves the longitudinal sepa rator member from a substantially vertical to a ward an angular position to release ice.

7. An ice tray comprising a plurality of transversely extending separator members having apertures formed adjacent their lower edges and spaced oppositely directed notched portions formed adjacent their upper edges, a normally.-

dinal separator member and means to move said stantlally vertical to an tion to release ice.'

, bars longitudinally in opposite directions to'move .the longitudinal separator member irom a subangularly inclined pod-- 4. An ice tray grid comprising a plurality of V rsely extending 9arator members, a'lon'gitudi'nal separator member mounted on the transverse members and movable from a vertical position to an angularly inclinedposition, a plurality of longivertically disposed longitudinal separator memher having a plurality of spaced substantially vertically disposed slots for thereception of the" positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinal separator member and having notched portions interlocking with the oppositely notched veirtending oppositely movable bars associated with the longitudinal and transverse members, means to move the'bars-in oppomte directions, and cooperating means between the oppositely movable bars and the longitudinal and transverse members whereby movement 'of' the bars in oppodte directions moves the membersangularly about substantially vertical axes intermediate their length-and moves the longitudinal separator member from a substantoward anangular position to release ice.

5. An ice tray comprising a plurality of trans-' versely extending separator members having apertures formed adjacent their lower edges and spaced oppositely directed notched portions formed adjacent their upper edges, a longitudinal separator member having a plurality of spaced or the longitudinal separator member-and hav-- ing notched portions interlocking with the opportions formed adjacent the upper edges ofthe transverse separator members, cam portions enper edge of the longitudinal separator, and manually operable means to move said bars in opposite directions to move the longitudinal separator-from a substantially vertical position towards an angular position and to' move the maybe moved about substantially vertical axes substantially vertically :1- H slots iorthe re'- ception of the transverse members, a pairoi oprositely'mnvme i i onbppoei teams?" transverse separator members about' substantially vertical axes to release ice.

8. An ice tray gridbomprising a plurality of relatively movable intersecting longitudinal and transverse separator members, connecting means between the intersecting separator members whereby a plurality of said separator members intermediate their length and another separator member may be moved about a horizontal axis from a substantially vertical position toward an angular position, and actuating means comprising bars positioned on opposite sides of the longitudinalseparator member wherebysaid members maybe actuated to release ice 4 crmonn a. cano y.

transverse members, and a plurality of longitu- L dinallyspaced cam portions formed adjacent its upper edge, a pair of opp sitely movable bars gaging the cam portions formed adiacent=the up.- 

